Funds of Knowledge: Have participants share talents, abilities, resources, and life experiences. See strategies page to find out how to use Funds of Knowledge with your students.
The Superlative Game: This can be adapted for content by providing students with cards they must place in order--presidents, decimals, events in history, etc.
Zap: a review game. Definitions of words used in argument writing are written on cards. One person in the center of the circle of participants read a definition. Center person closes eyes and spins one direction while circle moves a few steps in the other direction Center person stops, points, opens eyes. Person that is pointed to steps out of the circle (or squats down). People to the right and left of the person out of the circle are the responders. The first person to respond correctly moves to the center of the circle and reads a definition, repeating the process.
Start a discussion among students about what makes good writing. Take the roles of members of an editorial board selecting poems for a student magazine. Which poems would you publish? Do not reveal the names of the authors until discussion has ended. #1 Robert Frost #2 Abe Lincoln 3# Jennifer Aniston for John Mayer #4 Billy Collins #5 Tweets #6 Ted Koozer #7 Leonard Nimoy
10 Quick and Easy Team Building Activities
Professional Development Openers and Icebreakers
Touch Down/ Take Off: A Kagan Strategy
Fun Games, Icebreakers, and Group Activities
Fast Friends by Lara Purdie: OWP's answer to speed dating. Tailor the questions to your group.
The Superlative Game: This can be adapted for content by providing students with cards they must place in order--presidents, decimals, events in history, etc.
Zap: a review game. Definitions of words used in argument writing are written on cards. One person in the center of the circle of participants read a definition. Center person closes eyes and spins one direction while circle moves a few steps in the other direction Center person stops, points, opens eyes. Person that is pointed to steps out of the circle (or squats down). People to the right and left of the person out of the circle are the responders. The first person to respond correctly moves to the center of the circle and reads a definition, repeating the process.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/archives/meetingideas.shtml
20 three-minute brain breaks